In this series of live recordings made in the five titular cities, Elvis Costello is accompanied by Attractions keyboardist Steve Nieve and — occasionally — himself on guitar and the Attractions' Pete Thomas on drums. Stripped to their bare essence, Costello's songs shine even more radiantly than they do on the more familiar, fully produced recordings. Highlights of this limited-edition, five-CD boxed set (the discs range in length from 19:55 to 27:33) include "All This Useless Beauty" tracks "Why Can't A Man Stand Alone," "You Bowed Down," and "The Other End Of The Telescope"; Costello's readings of the Rodgers and Hart standard "My Funny Valentine"; and a medley featuring "Alison," "Tracks Of My Tears," "Tears Of A Clown," and more. Replete with the artist's colorful banter, this is a vivid document of one of the most talked-about live events of 1996.
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